The Ultimate Family Road Trip Through Europe Starts in Cork
Family holidays are the stuff that magical memories are made of, and good planning can make all the difference to the success of your trip. Holidays and road trips give you the chance to explore new places and expand your horizons, and there are thousands of hidden gems and exciting locations to explore in Europe.
Taking a road trip to Europe is a great way to explore with kids, and we have plenty of recommendations for family travel. Let’s take a look at the options and share some great family destinations so you can plan a holiday you and your children will remember forever.
Why the Ferry Makes Sense
If you want to explore destinations in mainland Europe from Ireland, the ferry is the perfect choice. It’s an excellent way to take your own vehicle abroad so you can explore at your own pace, and you can plan the road trip that best suits you and your family. Whether you drive down to Paris and spend a few days embracing the Disney experience or take a month to travel through France and Germany, you’ll discover the joy of family road trips and the ease of travelling by ferry.
Ferry travel tends to be much easier than flying with children, as you eliminate the most stressful stages of the process! There’s no need to pack light or keep an eye on restless children in a busy airport, and you can simply leave your car and explore the ferry on foot, enjoying your own comfortable cabin accommodation.
The ferry journey from Ringaskiddy, Cork to Boulogne, in Northern France is a great place to begin your road trip, with easy access to many European countries and good, toll-free roads directly from the port to Germany, Belgium and Scandinavia. Many of the other ferry routes from Ireland run to Brittany, which makes it more complicated to reach destinations in Southern France and the rest of Europe, and Boulogne is much more convenient.
Luxury Travel with Hibernia Line
At Hibernia Line, we are committed to ensuring that every customer has a great travel experience, and we have thought carefully about every aspect of your trip. We partner with Irish chef Rachel Allen as a brand ambassador, and her signature approach to fresh, seasonal cooking is proving very popular with our guests. Rachel works closely with our chefs to create delicious dishes that make the most of the finest Irish ingredients and European flavours, from comforting classics to seasonal favourites.
We offer year-round evening sailings, and no luggage restrictions, so you can ensure you have everything you need for a trip with the family. We have two- and four-berth cabins, all with private bathrooms, and you can choose an inner or outer cabin to suit your family’s needs. If you need a pet-friendly or wheelchair accessible cabin, we can help you to ensure that everyone travels in comfort. We also offer deluxe cabins with a little more space, so you can upgrade to enjoy the ultimate in luxury.
Family Road Trips Through Europe
When you’re planning a family road trip, the key to success is to go slow. Although it is possible to tick off several countries in a week or two, this is not likely to be an enjoyable experience for anyone, and your trip may not be memorable for the right reasons. Taking your time to explore a small number of destinations at a slower pace means you can immerse yourself and your children in a different cultural experience and get the flavour of the places you visit.
First, narrow down your plans to focus your road trip on one or two highlights. If you are planning to drive through France and Germany, for example, you might stop at several destinations in each country, but it will help to identify your ultimate goal. The Black Forest is a popular choice, with beautiful scenery and family-friendly attractions to explore, or you might aim for a city such as Cologne or Berlin.
Driving through Germany is a pleasure, with some of the best road networks in Europe and some stunning views along the way. Breaking down your trip into smaller sections will help you to make the most of each day, and don’t forget that you’ll need to travel back to your ferry port in time for your return trip. Many people plan a circular route that enables them to explore stop-offs on each leg of the journey, while others take a scenic route towards their furthest point and then drive more directly on the way back.
Choosing the best option for your family will depend on how much time you have to travel and how each member of your family copes with the experience. You will all have a better time on your trip if stress levels are low, so bear this in mind when planning and ensure that everyone has something to look forward to each day – even if this is an ice cream at a rest stop!
Family Friendly Stops On Your Road Trip
If you’re taking the time to plan and make an ambitious European trip with your family, you’ll want to ensure that you see some of the special sights along the way. You can stop at various places on your road trip, depending on the route you take, and we recommend adding the following to your consideration list:
- When you arrive in France, you’ll probably find that everyone is a little travel fatigued and you won’t want to start driving immediately. We always recommend that you begin your trip on a high note by spending a day or two in the historic town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, enjoying the delicious local seafood and exploring the beautiful old town. Don’t miss Nausicaa, one of the largest aquariums in Europe, or the Basilica of Notre-Dame, which includes one of the most impressive crypts in France.
- Strasbourg is a cultural hotpot, located on the border between France and Germany and combining the two cultures. You’ll find Le Vaisseau, a fantastic science centre which the children will love, and a boating lake and free zoo at Parc de l’Orangerie. This is an excellent place to stop on your road trip if you’re travelling from France to Germany, and we highly recommend a boat tour to explore the area and take a break from the car at the same time.
- Many of the routes from France to Germany pass through Belgium, and this allows you to visit another European country without adding stress or unnecessary mileage to your journey. You can make the drive enjoyable by planning a stop along the way, and we suggest Bruges as a great option for families. Bruges is a beautiful city, known for its canals and cobbled streets, and you’ll find stunning medieval architecture including the 13th-century belfry in Markt Square. Climbing the 366 steps to the top of the belfry is a great challenge for kids and gives them a chance to really stretch their legs after the drive!
- Exploring the beautiful German city of Cologne is a great addition to your list of rest stops, especially if you are travelling further into Germany, to the Black Forest or to Berlin. Cologne is a wonderful city, famous for its impressive cathedral, and it’s a good place to break your journey as it is close to the German border. If you’re looking for rest stops on your drive from France to Germany, this one is not to be missed.
- Europa-Park. When it’s time for the children to choose a destination, Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park, is sure to feature on the list. With more than one hundred rides and shows, there’s something for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers – and adults, too. There are many hotels in the park if you want to make an overnight stop, as well as a camping site for those who are road tripping with a camper van or tent. The park itself includes twenty themed areas and fourteen rollercoasters, so there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
- The Black Forest. The Black Forest might be the ultimate destination for your road trip, or it may be a stop on the way to Berlin or another part of Germany, but either way, there is plenty to explore here. With fairytale forests and plenty of opportunities to get out of the car and enjoy the fresh air, you’ll love this beautiful area. Don’t miss the Baumwipfelpfad (Tree Top Walk) in Bad Wildbad, which offers an accessible walk into the canopy with incredible views, and the Sommerrodelbahn Gutach. This alpine coaster is very popular with children.
Your Irish Road Trip Packing Essentials
Packing strategically will ensure that you make the most of your road trip and you can relax and enjoy the ride. If you’re taking your own vehicle, you’ll be able to take all of the home comforts you need to prevent meltdowns and stressful moments, and you can stock up along the way if you find that you have missed anything essential! We recommend:
Clothing. Your road trip might take in several countries, and the weather may be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to prepare for every eventuality with clothes to keep you warm and dry as well as your beach day outfits! Ensure that everyone has enough changes of clothing to cope with the journey and remember that you will be able to wash clothes if you are staying in rented accommodation or if you visit a launderette in a city on your route.
First aid essentials. You can give yourself peace of mind by ensuring that you pack first aid essentials for your trip, as well as any medications you or your family require. When you are travelling in Europe, you will usually be close to a pharmacy, and you can seek medical assistance locally, but having the basics will save you time and stress if an accident happens. Make sure you have a good range of plasters and pain-relieving medication, as well as antiseptic wipes and bandages.
Vehicle requirements. You must ensure that your vehicle is fit to travel in France and Germany, and that you have essential equipment such as a warning triangle and high vis vests for every passenger in the car. You should familiarise yourself with the local road rules and check different route options, as some will rely on toll roads and you may wish to find more scenic alternatives. Don’t forget to check your insurance and take extra cover if you require it for a European road trip.
And of course, you don’t need to take a car to travel through Europe! If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and have an eco-friendly adventure, you can travel on foot on the Hibernia Line and then make the most of the excellent train networks in France, Belgium and Germany. This may be challenging for very young children as it means you will need to pack light and you won’t have the ‘home base’ that a car or van offers, but for older children and teenagers, it is a wonderful way to explore new places and really makes the most of the experience.
The Hibernia Line: France to Ireland Ferry with Car
The Hibernia Line will take you directly from Cork to Boulogne-sur-Mer, with year-round sailings to choose from. Boulogne is the ideal place to begin your road trip in Europe, giving you easy access to France, Belgium, Germany and even Scandinavia. With scenic drives through stunning countryside and historic towns and villages to explore, you’ll soon discover that continental Europe is the perfect road trip destination.
Planning a road trip in Europe is a holiday experience you’ll remember forever, driving at your own pace and enjoying the local hospitality and culinary treasures. You and your family will create some truly special memories as you make the most of your road trip experience, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Happy Holiday!